The King's Court at Runestone

[Flex]

"Not yet." Daeron said with a shake of his head. "We shall name it once they get here."

[Marie]

"Her," she said automatically. "Not it. I know you must be disappointed not to have a son first, but you will have your son, in time, I know it. I am here if either you or Calla need any advice about raising children. I look forward to meeting my new niece once she arrives. And to seeing Calla as well. She must have changed greatly?"

[Flex]

"I guess I finally decided to pay attention to her." Daeron answered with a laugh. "She isn't the prettiest thing and is slightly... weird, she has a pet salamander called Aegon Sillypants, but she is my wife."

[Marie]

"Yes. A pet...salamander?" Joanna repeated. "Tha's odd. Why Aegon? Is it named after the Aegon that Mother knew?"

[Flex]

"Gods know, Joanna, I did not ask. Though I doubt anyone would name anything after that particular man, if you can trust old Euric's stories."

[Marie]

"I thought perhaps it was meant as a joke, but I've really no idea," Joanna said. "It doesn't matter, anyway. I'm just happy the two of you have come to terms. Are you happy now then?"

[Flex]

"I have always been happy Joanna." Daeron replied with a wink. "But at least the pressure is off my back. How are... your daughters?"

[Marie]

"Silvana has been acting oddly since we were attacked and Eleyna and Cassana are subdued but they'll get over it. Certainly more easily than Silvana. I'm worried about her. She's so little, so fragile."

[Flex]

Daeron looked concerned. "Did anything happen to her?"

[Marie]

"The clansman threw a rock at her. We thought she was dead. She lives, but her eye is strange and she is frightened of Aalina now. Something is wrong, Daeron, but I don't know what."

Her voice was desolate with worry.

[Flex]

Daeron looked apaulled. "That is horrible. Has Runestone's maester taken a look at her yet?"

[Marie]

"Not properly, but it must be done. I will ask Daemon's maester to examine her, though. The king will have the best maester of all."

[Flex]

"True." Daeron said with a nod. "Besides this tragedy how have you been holding up? I am... sorry about Jon, but from the sounds of it he died protecting you."

[Marie]

"So he did, and twenty men with him. Lucas Templeton as well. A worse fate than any of them deserved, though I'll wager all of them would say they'd sooner die young with swords in their hands than slain by disease in old age."

Joanna sighed.

"I saw Lucas fall but not Jon. I wish I had their bodies to mourn. A small foolish part of me keeps hoping that I am mistaken and Jon is not dead after all."

She turned and paced a circuit around the room, unconsciously copying her mother's habit.

"Jon and Lucas were my best friends in childhood. Whenever I was at the Eyrie, we were always together, adn now they are gone."

She looked up at Daeron with anguish written all over her face.

"Is our blood cursed? Why are we the downfall of those who are loyal to us? Euric and Talyn were my mother's sworn men and married to our aunts yet they are dead now too, slain by enemies of the crown. We Targaryens are men and women like any other but we cannot protect those who serve us best. What is so wrong with us?"

[Flex]

"Nothing, Jo. There is no curse, only evil men who wish to kill us." Daeron replied firmly. "Come here." He said, hugging her. "You still have Daemon and me, as well as Maekar and the rest. We will hold together."